* North America: Drake was the first Englishman to reach the Pacific coast of North America, in 1579. He explored the coast of present-day California, Oregon, and Washington, and claimed the region for England.
* South America: Drake was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, and in the process he explored the coast of South America. He was the first European to see the Strait of Magellan, and he also explored the coasts of present-day Chile and Peru.
* Pacific Ocean: Drake was the first Englishman to sail across the Pacific Ocean. He made two voyages across the Pacific, in 1577-1580 and 1585-1586.
* East Asia: Drake was the first Englishman to reach East Asia. He made two voyages to the region, in 1577-1580 and 1585-1586. On his first voyage, he reached the Philippines, Indonesia, and Moluccas. On his second voyage, he reached Japan and China.
* Africa: Drake also explored the coast of Africa. In 1585, he sailed along the coast of West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Angola.